Uyuni, the Atacama Desert & Potosi
Highlights
- San Pedro de Atacama
- Green & Red Lagoons
- Uyuni Salt Flats
- Stay in the Salt Hotel
- Potosi
Overview
This 3-day Uyuni desert and Atacama Deserts tour combines the desert playgrounds of Bolivia and Chile.
From San Pedro de Atacama, explore the Red and Green Lagoon in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Once in Bolivia’s Uyuni Desert, visit the Uyuni Salt Flats, and stay in the Salt Hotel (made entirely of salt). Along the way, explore mines, lagoons, volcanoes, and spot flamingos, vicuñas, and other wildlife. Finish this tour extension in Potosi, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage City that was originally founded as a small mining town.
- Day 1 - Atacama to the Green & Red Lagoons to Ojo de Perdiz
Depart from San Pedro de Atacama towards Hito Cajon (border between Chile and Bolivia). Enter to the National Reserve of Andean Fauna Eduardo Avaroa and visit the Green Lagoon, an impressive aquatic mirror that resembles a giant emerald with a particular brightness in the mornings and afternoons; its color is due to the high magnesium content in the water. In the proximities of this lagoon is the Licancahur Volcano (5,868 m.). The next stop will be the Red Lagoon, which is very impressive because of its red color, due to the fine sediment accumulation of the same color in the surface, as well as the pigmentation of certain type of seaweed. It is populated by 3 species of flamencos (among them the famous James). Box lunch. Continue the journey crossing the Siloli desert. Arrive to Ojo de Perdiz and accommodation at Hotel Tayka del Desierto Dinner and overnight stay.
- Day 2 - Ojo de Perdiz to the Uyuni Salt Flats & Colchani
Depart towards Colchani located on the shores of the Salt Flat visiting on the way the Galaxy Cave, famous because its geological formations. Visit to the Uyuni Salt Flat and Incahuasi Island, this island is located in the heart of the salt flat and is the greatest of a group of islands that represents an isolated ecosystem. The island is populated with cacti species that measures up to 12 meters high (26, 25 feet), adding the background provided by salt flat the panorama becomes impressive. Box lunch. Continue to Colchani. Accommodation at the Salt Hotel, dinner and over night stay.
- Day 3 - Transfer to Potosi & Pulacayo Mine
Breakfast. Pick up from the Salt Hotel and departure towards Potosi, on the way we visit the Pulacayo mine. Box lunch. Arrival to Potosi and transfer to the hotel.
- All hotel accommodation
- All breakfasts & other meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- All tours, transfers, and entrance fees
- English-speaking tour guides
- Personal Expenses
- Tips